Years 7–11England

Sets and parents' evening: what to ask

Written by A Dagdelen · Reviewed 17 October 2026

Many schools group pupils by attainment in some subjects, and parents' evening is the one time you get a teacher's full attention. A few good questions turn five minutes into something useful.

Photo: Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash

Seta class grouped by attainment in one subject
Streamthe same group for most or all subjects
Mixed abilitypupils of different levels in one class
Reviewask how often groups are reviewed

What you need to know

What setting means. In a setted subject, pupils are taught with others at a similar level, most often in maths and sometimes in English, science or languages. Streaming puts a pupil in one group for most subjects, and mixed-ability classes teach everyone together. Each school decides which it uses.
How pupils are placed. Schools usually use teachers' judgement, tests and, in many schools, ability tests early in Year 7, together with information from primary school. Ask the school which it uses and how.
A set is not a label for life. Pupils can move up or down. Ask how often groups are reviewed, what would move your child and how the school keeps expectations high in every set.
Sets connect to GCSE tiers. In subjects such as maths and science, GCSE has foundation and higher tiers, so a child's set and the tier they sit are linked. Our GCSE guide explains tiers.
Parents' evening is short. Slots are often around five to ten minutes per teacher. Book early, bring two or three questions and note the answers.

Four questions worth asking

What is going well, and what one thing should improve?

It gets the teacher to be specific and gives you one thing to work on.

What would help most at home?

Ask for something practical, such as a topic to revise or a type of reading.

Which set is my child in, and how is that reviewed?

Ask how the place was decided and what would move them.

How are they getting on with others?

Teachers see friendships, confidence and effort that grades do not show.

Practise and explore on Quizo School

Staying in touch with school Apps, reports and other ways to hear from school.
GCSE options, exam boards and tiers How tiers work in maths and science.
Who is who at school Who to talk to about what.
Year 7: new school, new habits Settling in, and how groups are decided.
Year 8: building on solid ground The middle year of Key Stage 3.
Year 7 Maths See what the first term covers.

Questions parents ask

Should I ask for my child to move up a set?

Ask what evidence the school looks at and what your child would need to show. A specific target is more useful than a request.

What do the grades and targets mean?

Ask how targets are set, what each grade stands for and how your child compares with expectations for their age.

I cannot make parents' evening. What can I do?

Ask the school for a phone call, a video call or an email summary. Most schools can offer something.

Should my child come too?

Schools differ. Some invite pupils, some prefer parents on their own. Ask, and consider including them for part of the meeting so they hear it first hand.

Was this page helpful?